Decided to post this a day early because I was getting a little excited to get this next chapter up.

Hey everyone! Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone is doing well and staying safe in these troublesome times.

And in the season of giving thanks, I just want to give major thanks to everyone who has reviewed/commented/faved/followed my story thus far. I never thought this story would be as popular as it is when I first published it, and I am still surprised people are as engaged with the story as you all have been. So, with every fiber of my being, thank you.

This next chapter begins what I like to call "Union". This is the Union arc. So get ready, because some new stuff is about to go down, and it is going to be amazing.

Also, as a pre-emptive note, I want to give a big shout out to RavenBloom, my partner in crime in this story. Not only has she beta'd my chapters recently, but she also helped design some new stuff coming up. Look forward to announcements from her on DA, under the handle 'Daphne-Phantom', as she will post some neat material to coincide with what I introduce.

And as a disclaimer (for who knows how many times): I do not own Mermaid Melody or any of its content. All rights to their appropriate owners.

Now,

PICHI PICHI VOICE, LIVE START!

Chapter 25:

Kingdom's Call

On the sea wall looking out to the ocean, Hippo stood wringing his flippers. Everything was just going horrible in his duties. Luchia, Hanon, and Rina had not only gone against their duties fraternizing with boys, but the boys were now endowed with Aqua Regina's power as the Sea Princes. Even worse, this seemed to encourage the remaining four Mermaid Princesses in pursuing their own love lives. Not to mention Nikora still spending time with Maki, and even Meru having a boy who knew her secret and was even her pen pal. Hippo felt disgraced by these turns of events.

Looking outward, he prayed, "Aqua Regina-sama, this is terrible. The Mermaid Princesses are beginning to forget their duty. If they continue this way, they will…" But he shuddered at the very thought, then requested, "Please, for the sake of the ocean world, send a sign of what I should do." He waited there, gazing out to the horizon. His gaze fixed ahead so hard his eyes began to hurt.

Suddenly, he heard a dolphin chirp at him. Looking down, he saw Momo-chan with three envelopes of pink, aqua, and green. Messages from the kingdoms. Hippo retrieved them while thanking Momo-chan for her help, before looking at the messages the kingdoms sent. After reading through all three, he let out a great shriek at what they entailed.

"This is not what I meant for a sign!" he called out to no one in particular.

Back at Pearl Piari, Luchia, Hanon, and Rina were relaxing in the shared bath on the first floor. Nikora made sure no one would intrude on them as they soaked, letting their tails float in the warm waters.

Giving a content sigh, Hanon spoke, "This is the best. It's been so long since we could relax like this."

"I can feel my worries drifting away in the water," Luchia added, equally content.

"With everything we have endured, times like these are truly splendid," Rina commented, drawing water with her hands and washing her hair and chest. "It almost makes it all worth it in the end."

Hanon then looked to the green mermaid princess, and she began to pout while pointing out, "You don't need to flaunt those things like that."

Disgruntled at her disapproval, Rina replied, "Hanon, worry about yourself and your image. You fret too much over others. It'll make you grow old too fast." Hanon's face tightened in anger, but she huffed and turned away without a reply.

Luchia wasn't bothered by her friend's exchange, especially because she was more focused on other things. First being Seira, and how Hugo's departure seemed to break her heart.

Coco had taken the youngest Mermaid Princess with her and Ryu to go do some browsing at the shops, though Luchia wasn't sure that would lift her spirits aside from Ryu drawing or painting the two.

Noelle had decided to make a visit to the hospital Daichi was in, thankfully not obsessing over the boy waking up from his coma this time and just going for a general visit.

Karen had been pulled aside by Subaru to investigate the beach for any signs. Of what, they never said.

The second thing on Luchia's mind was Kaito and the other Sea Princes. Before this crisis, she had recalled how she would one day leave Kaito behind to return to the sea. A prospect she still didn't want to accept despite her friends and sister telling her so. Now, she didn't know what would happen. Would he and the other Sea Princes end up going with them when they all came of age to return? How would Masahiro and Nagisa adjust with their lives on land? The whole prospect brought forth new questions Luchia would never have thought to ask had they not been selected by Aqua Regina the way they had. It made her wonder what was to come now.

Just then, the group heard a knock on the door, causing them all to glance at who might be wanting their attention. "Hanon, are you in there?" came Nagisa's voice.

"Yes, with Luchia and Rina," she answered. "What do you want?"

"I was going to come in to share the bath with you," Nagisa told her. "You mermaids are decent, right?"

Outraged, Hanon bellowed, "Idiot! What kind of perverted question is that?"

"It's not like I'm peeping," Nagisa tried to argue. "Besides, you girls are in mermaid form right now. What would I be seeing anyway that I haven't already?"

"STAY OUT!" the three girls shouted together.

Outside, Nagisa winced at all three yelling at him, and he muttered about how they didn't have to be so harsh.

Kaito came up to him with a towel draped over his shoulders and assured, "We can wait until they're done. Best to give them some privacy for now."

"But they're mermaids right now," Nagisa reasoned strongly. "All I'd be seeing is their mermaid form."

"And what do you think they would be seeing if you went in?" Kaito posed.

At that, Nagisa's face flushed bright red when he thought about that. Riddled with shame, he went to a table and slumped in a chair.

Masahiro, reading a book while he waited, assured, "We'll have our time. Maybe later we can all go swimming."

But it was at this moment that Hippo came racing in, squawking and making a massive ruckus. He made a beeline for the shared bath and rushed in. But at the screams of the three mermaids inside, he was washed out by a massive splash they did, disorienting him.

Kaito quickly noticed the different colored letters he had and went to pick them up. He read the pink one, which made his brows crease together in a frown.

Looking to the other two, he told them, "Better read these. It sounds important."

Masahiro and Nagisa took the respective colors meant for them and read over the message. Nagisa was stunned, while Masahiro seemed analytical on the matter.

The girls eventually came out of the shared bath with towels draped around themselves, looking disgruntled and upset at the interruptions they had while trying to relax. But when they saw the three letters the boys had, worry quickly set in among the three.

Looking to Luchia, Kaito informed, "It seems your kingdom has summoned you." The other boys stated the same message as well, which made things even more worrisome.

Having set the three letters on a table and gotten dressed, the six plus Nikora and Hippo gathered to discuss the matter the letters spoke of. Hippo was still nursing his bump from earlier, while Nikora looked serious. More serious than Luchia had ever seen her before.

"I was worried this might have happened after you Sea Princes were chosen by Aqua Regina-sama," Nikora told the group. "I have no doubt they want to see you and determine what part you will play in the different kingdoms."

Confused, Nagisa asked, "Um, part? What do you mean?"

"Aside from bearing the seven pearls, the Mermaid Princesses are also the rulers of the different kingdoms," the guardian mermaid explained. "They are meant to rule over the domain of the seven seas, watching over it and protecting it. We have remained on land for various reasons, but the sea is ultimately where we must return." Looking at the boys, she added, "But now, with Aqua Regina making you Sea Princes, Luchia and the others won't be returning home alone, as you will soon share this burden of ruling the seas with them."

Nagisa was shocked and stupefied by this news, while Masahiro was only slightly stunned. Kaito was unaffected, which aggravated Nagisa a bit.

But it was Masahiro who asked, "Kaito, did you know about this?"

"I didn't know what being a Sea Prince was about," he answered. "But I was aware of what might happen when Luchia has to go home."

"But Kaito, you'll be leaving the surface behind!" Nagisa exclaimed. "Aren't you worried about how everyone will feel when you do?"

"Kaito is a little different, as he is actually a Pantherrassa," Hanon explained to her boyfriend. "An ancient race that once opposed Aqua Regina-sama and caused chaos in the sea. But she saved Kaito and brought him to live on land."

Nagisa was even more surprised by this news but simmered down when Hanon glared at him briefly.

Then, Nikora mentioned, "Kaito being the prince of the Pantherrassa poses a few problems outside being a Sea Prince. The mermaids may not take kindly to you if they have learned who you really are."

"But Kaito didn't cause any trouble at the palace," Luchia said in his defense. "He protected me from the Dark Lovers and Dr. Hishki."

"Luchia, some wounds are not easily healed from small acts like that," Nikora regarded sternly. "You will have to work with Kaito to convince your subjects of his worth. And that alone will be a hard path to tread."

Face set with determination, Kaito assured, "I'll do whatever I need to convince them I am not their enemy. If it's for Luchia, I'll do all that is necessary." He and Nikora shared a gaze as if testing one another on their words.

After a moment, Nikora smiled and replied, "I have no doubt you will Kaito. And I am sure the other mermaids will see that too."

Getting back on track, Rina asked, "What about Nagisa and Masahiro? They are human, so what will we do about that?"

Crossing her arms, Nikora replied, "I wish I knew. This is a first in many years. No human has ever been chosen to bear this power, leaving no room to understand what is to be done about it."

"The messages asked that we go with them back to their kingdoms," Masahiro pointed out. "That should be the first thing we do. Once we go to the kingdoms, we can work out what needs to be done then."

"Just know that if you fully accept this burden, there is no turning back," Nikora reminded him and Nagisa. "If whatever needs to be done is done, your lives will be tied to the sea. As such, when you turn 18, you will leave the land behind to rule the sea. Remember that." A heavy silence fell upon the group. The four people familiar with matters in the seas were concerned about what this may mean, but the two outsiders were another matter.

For Nagisa, the prospect of leaving his home and everyone he loved frightened him. Sure, he loved Hanon and wanted to be with her. But to leave the land because of her duty to the sea? He wasn't sure how he was going to cope with that. It wasn't as simple as just declaring one's feelings. It was changing his whole life in a profound way.

The biggest issue going forward for Masahiro, however, was his family. As a Hamasaki, he was set to inherit the family business when the time came. He had been raised for this since he was little. The matter with Rina was no longer a personal one, but one involving his family and all the preparation they had done for him to take over. This would not be an easy matter to decide.

Seeing how the group was still wrestling with this, Nikora suggested, "Take some time to yourselves and consider what you want to do. Luchia and the others will need to leave at the earliest opportunity. Choose wisely." She got up, and then walked away.

After recovering, Hippo got down and began to leave too. But before he left, he said grumbly, "I am personally against all of this. Humans bring nothing but trouble. And you are no exception." He took off soon after, ignoring the death stares the three mermaids were giving him.

Masahiro got up, catching everyone's attention. "I need to think this over," he told them. "I'll talk to you all later." He then left the hotel.

Nagisa claimed he needed some air and followed suit.

But their departure left pits in Rina and Hanon's stomachs.

"What will we do if they decide not to be Sea Princes anymore?" Hanon asked her friends worriedly.

"Hanon, this is a life-changing decision for them," Rina tried to assure. "They might need to set some affairs in order before they commit fully to protecting the seas. We have been born to this role, while they have only just been introduced from their own lives. This isn't a matter they can take lightly." Her words did little to assure Hanon.

Luchia was about to console her friend when Kaito drew her attention by resting a hand on her shoulder.

"Luchia, let's go somewhere to talk," he requested.

And she complied, following him out. The atmosphere among the six became so heavy, it was like gravity was bearing down on them with everything it had.

Kaito took Luchia out to the park in the main city, finding a bench so the two of them could sit and contemplate.

Luchia was a bit worried, mostly about Hanon and Rina. They had done so much with both Nagisa and Masahiro, and finally gotten their feelings out in the open. She didn't want all of that to end because becoming a true Sea Prince would become too much for them. Hanon already looked like she was going to be heartbroken, while Rina seemed to be fighting feelings of betrayal that she had once absolved after deepening her relationship with Masahiro to the degree they were at. It made her worry immensely.

Out of nowhere, Kaito comforted, "It's going to be alright. I don't think Nagisa or Masahiro are going to refuse becoming full Sea Princes."

"Do you truly mean it?" Luchia asked, hopeful yet anxious.

Smiling, he told her, "It's going to be a bit before the shock wears off. I know when I learned the truth about myself, it was difficult to accept. My world that I lived in was suddenly destroyed because I learned I wasn't human. Had I learned that at any other time, I might have been unable to accept it."

Curious, Luchia asked, "And now? Can you accept it now?"

"I already have. Mostly because of you." Seeing her confused expression, he explained, "When we met that night, when the ship capsized and I lost my parents, my whole life had changed so drastically. And meeting you then gave me something to want to pursue. I think you were my beacon that kept me from going down a dark path. Unlike Gaito, who never had anyone like that."

Luchia could agree with Kaito's opinion on that, stating, "Sara was only fueled by hatred for Mitsuki-sensei, so she couldn't save Gaito." Looking up at him, she asked, "But I really did all that for you?"

Kaito placed a hand on her head, and told her, "Of course. You gave me joy, opened my eyes to things I would never have noticed, been there to support me so many times. You always looked out for me." Looking out to the park, he finished, "I haven't done anything like that for you. Between the two of us, you have always been putting yourself on the line for me."

Immediately, Luchia refuted, "That's not true!" She explained, "You were there to protect me just as much as I saved you. Those times when it seemed the water demons had won, you would be there protecting me." Brushing his bangs aside, she said, "Your light and power had shielded me too. And I am glad to have met you that day."

Kaito chuckled, replying, "And here I thought I would be comforting you. Here you go, being there for me and doing something I can't."

Luchia pouted at his jab, but softened her expression when he snaked his arm behind her back and pulled her into him.

"Thank you, my Mermaid Princess." He spoke softly.

"Kaito…" Luchia uttered in kind. And the two met in a kiss.

Nagisa was on the beach, looking out to the sea and listening to the waves as they crashed on the shore. He sat with his legs folded up and his arms holding them as he thought about everything. All the times he tried to make Hanon interested in him, trying to win her attention, striving for a chance to be that special someone for her, he never once thought he'd become something this massive. Becoming a Sea Prince had been more of an accident for him. Sure, the few times he met Hanon as her mermaid self he was smitten, but he didn't expect her to bring this kind of grief with her.

He pulled out the clam shell Tarou gave them, recalling back to that day when he declared he would always be there for Hanon regardless. He wondered if Tarou had been afraid with his Mermaid Princess and ended up cutting ties with her. Was that something he might have to do? That thought scared him more than what Nikora told him.

"How am I going to even be worthy of being a Sea Prince?" he questioned. "I'm not royalty. I can barely make it through school on my own. Why am I like this?" As he wrestled with this, he remembered Aqua Regina's words; about how the mermaid princesses would face a threat they couldn't handle alone.

That's right, he thought. Hanon and the others have been fighting these dark forces for a long time. And they've done it by themselves all this time. He looked back out to sea, continuing, And now something's coming that they can't face alone. I can't abandon her with something like looming over her.

He got to his feet and said with conviction, "I may not be a ruler, or someone decent at some things, but I can at least protect Hanon." Grasping his pendant, he spoke, "I'll be there for her. I'll protect her. Cause Hanon means that much to me. And if I need to dive to the deepest oceans for her, then I will." Without his knowing, his pendant flashed in his hand in response to his words.

Masahiro had gone back to his residence, stepping into his room after greeting the butler and letting him know he was taking time to himself for something. He played it off as something regarding the business, which was partially true. Once inside, he fell onto his bed and let out a long sigh at the situation he found himself in.

Learning what he did about becoming a Sea Prince definitely took him by surprise. Sure, he wanted to do whatever he could to keep Rina by his side, but he never considered this sort of notion. What was even more worrisome was about things here. His family, no matter how he told them about things, would never accept that he might abandon everything for some girl. But it wasn't only that fact that bogged him down. It was also the matter of what he wanted.

Masahiro had submitted to the idea of taking over the company, even if all his other pursuits were just hobbies he did without really committing to them. But Rina was one thing he never considered to be something to go in half-hearted. He remembered the few times they had their disagreements, how Rina kept pushing him away because of the secret she had to hide from him. Only those moments drew him closer to her, and in turn her to him. Two conflicting commitments he had to contest with, neither of which he could readily decide on.

As he turned over, he then thought about what Rina had to be going through. She had always been hurt before, keeping herself closed off to everyone but her friends. Even accepting Masahiro into her life had to be a similar struggle for her. As a Mermaid Princess, Rina was supposed to protect the sea, and not reveal who she was to anyone. Then he came into her life, complicating her decisions. Yet despite all she had suffered through, all she had to endure as a Mermaid Princess, she eventually accepted Masahiro as part of her life even with the prospect of never seeing him again when she had to go home. It gave Masahiro some perspective on the bigger issue.

He would need to confront his parents about his decision involving Rina, but he couldn't afford to leave her like this. "Rina, you gave so much for me," he murmured to himself. Holding his pendant to his eye and gazing into the green pearl she had given him, he added, "I don't know what I can do for you, but I am not going back on what I said back then. I want you by my side." Clenching his hand around the pendant, he silently swore, "I will be your support. If you shall have me, I will stand with you. Just so long as you are with me through it all." He thought he saw a flash of green through his fingers, but opening his hand revealed nothing beyond the pearl looking as it normally did.

He got up after a bit and went to his closet. If he was going to be out of the country for a time, he needed to pack some things to ensure he was ready.

Down in his new lair, Hishki was pacing before the six servants he had working for him. Not only were the Winged Ones hunched over with apprehension, but even Triple Threat appeared anxious. No one could blame them after their various failures. None of the minions dared to speak out lest they get a lashing from the doctor.

Daring to break the tension, Javer addressed, "Hey Doc, any plans for us to use?"

Hishki didn't seem to register his question, continuing his pacing. But he did begin to mutter to himself about something. Though no one could hear what he said.

Moaning, Arara spoke up, "That's it. The old man has finally gone senile."

"Arara, watch what you say!" Lady Bat chided.

"What? It's not like it really matters," she replied. "Besides, he is looking rather old."

After she said that, the doctor turned on all of them, and the others all zipped aside to leave Arara the sole victim of his next verbal outrage. Said demon panicked because of the potential danger she was facing.

Instead of reprimanding her, the doctor bellowed, "I have an epiphany! A stroke of genius." With his underlings perplexed, Hishki informed, "I believe we have always been rather hasty in our dealings with the Mermaid Princesses. We do not prepare as well as we should."

"We seem pretty prepared," Avery responded, then jabbed, "unlike three losers."

The Winged Ones glared at the Triple Threat, but Dr. Hishki ordered silence before they went at it.

"Our problem is that we do not unite the forces at our disposal," he explained. "We always tackle them one way or another, but never together. Even more so, we always just rush in without a plan that is well thought out. Which is why, I have concocted an ingenious strategy to finally conquer those Mermaid Princesses and their Sea Princes."

"And what's that Doc?" Javer asked.

Hishki gave a wicked grin before detailing his plan to his minions.

Rina was at the cliffside she and Masahiro often met at. She had decided to come here after the boys and Luchia had left Pearl Piari, wanting to settle her mind with everything going on. While she did try to calm Hanon down, she herself was worried about what would happen. Especially when she considered how far their relationship had come from their beginnings. From when Masahiro tackled her because he thought she was going to do something horrible to herself, to them having exchanges on this very cliffside that contested each other's viewpoint, to even when she saved him during Arara's attempt at capturing them. She went even further, to when Masahiro first saw her mermaid form, the cave where he showed them the mermaid treasure, to when he rescued her and the others from Dr. Hishki and became a Sea Prince.

As she thought about these different moments, she began to sing "Piece of Love,"

xxx

Itsuka, konna hi na

Kuru to yokan shita

Koi ni tomadou kokoro

Yurete

Yurete

Itai hodo

xxx

Daremo kidzukanai

Fukai kanashimi mo

Nazeka tsutawatte shimau

Maru de saiai no

Hito no you ni

xxx

Watashi to iu

Chiisa na hoshi

Hitoshizuku no ai ga mebaeta

Ushinao mono oserete wa

Tatakaenai

xxx

Tsuki ni inori

Hoshi ni inori

Yukubeki michi mune ni kizamu

Namida ga atsuku naru wake wa

Unmei no Piece of Love

Meguriaeta Piece of Heart

xxx

Rina looked back out to the sea as she wrapped up her song, before smiling to herself.

"I've changed," she said to herself. "The old me would have abandoned love altogether because of this pain. Now I desperately cling to it." She thought back to her dream, when Masahiro left her for hiding her secret and she turned into bubbles. She certainly was a different person from when she started out. "Perhaps Luchia changed me more than I thought. Hanon as well," she muttered. "Those two." Thinking about them, Rina looked to the old friendship ring Luchia gave her and Hanon way back when they first came to the human world. Whatever came next, she would not surrender these experiences for anything else.

Back at Pearl Piari, Hanon was moaning into her pillow up in her room with Meru watching on. She had been like this ever since everyone left her. And Meru had been unable to say or do anything to break her out of her funk.

"And I had been teaching Nagisa everything needed to be a good Sea Prince," she whined in her pillow.

"Hanon-sama, I don't think what you do with Nagisa counts as teaching," Meru calmly debated.

"And now he might not want to be my Sea Prince anymore," Hanon bemoaned, going back into her own world again.

Meru sighed in defeat, seeing her princess go into this sorry state.

"And Hippo didn't help with what he said to them," Hanon brought up, muffled by her pillow.

"That was very uncalled for," Meru said in contemplation. "I would have thought Hippo would have gotten used to the idea that you three have boys blessed by Aqua Regina-sama. He's just a stubborn penguin, that's what he is." Meru then looked into the tank holding Puru-chan, the pet jellyfish Hanon brought with her from her kingdom.

The little sea creature had seen the princess's distress and had a sad look on her face.

Meru couldn't blame her. At this rate, Hanon was going to be throwing a fit over everything happening around Nagisa.

Grunting, Meru walked out to confront the matter personally. Hanon barely registered she left, still wallowing.

Walking along the sea wall, Nagisa was making his return to Pearl Piari to give his answer. He still was unsure about it, but he wanted to be with Hanon. Even if he wasn't really like Kaito, Subaru, Masahiro, or even Hugo for the matter, he was still Hanon's boyfriend. He just conceded that he would have to adjust living in the ocean once Hanon was forced to return home.

Along the way, he spotted Meru coming his way, looking rather peeved. This alone made him nervous as he clammed up at her approach. Upon reaching him, Meru stood over the boy, causing him to bend backwards as she stared hard into his eyes.

"Um… Hi, Meru," Nagisa said tentatively.

In response, Meru muttered angrily, "Go to Hanon-sama." Seeing his confused expression at her words, she stated, "Hanon-sama is worried about you and what you'll decide. She won't leave her room, she whines a lot, and she can't seem to focus on her responsibilities as Mermaid Princess of the South Atlantic kingdom."

"How is that my fault?" Nagisa returned, gaining a little more assertiveness. "This isn't an easy decision for me to make Meru. I had to think about it a bit."

"But you were always the one pursuing her," Meru pointed out. "This shouldn't be a difficult decision for you."

"Well I wasn't born in the ocean world like you and Hanon were," Nagisa argued, backing away and standing tall. Returning Meru's hard gaze, he told her, "You two have lived in the ocean world your whole lives. It's not that big of a challenge for you to leave the land. But I only just became a Sea Prince, and I didn't even intend to. So it's not an easy decision to make for me since I'll be leaving my life behind." The two held each other's gaze for a bit, testing each other to see how they would act. In the end, Meru broke contact and gazed out to the sea.

"It used to be such a simple thing for us mermaids," she spoke softly, the edge gone from her voice. "We come to the land without any attachments, already knowing we would return home. It's always been like that. Then, sometimes beyond our own control, we find something on land to cherish. And we begin to fight against the idea of leaving our home. Hanon-sama was like that, I bet even with Mitsuki-sensei." Looking back at him, she continued, "Then you came, and you were so determined to win her affection. And I know, it hurt Hanon-sama so much to think about going home and leaving you behind after everything that had happened. And when you learned she was a mermaid, you became a Sea Prince. And Hanon couldn't have been happier. Now going home wouldn't be so painful, because she wouldn't leave something she found behind."

Nagisa took in her words, considering them carefully. After a bit, he replied, "I'm not becoming a Sea Prince because of something that happened. I'm doing this because I want to see Hanon happy, and I want to protect that happiness. I want to be there for her, always. I'm not excited about leaving my old life behind, but Hanon has become too important to me. I'm not going to leave her like that."

Meru smiled at Nagisa's conviction. Truly, Hanon had the right person to stand beside her.

But the moment didn't last when they heard the water frothing near where they were. Suddenly, a claw shot out at them, forcing them to jump out of the way. As the claw retracted, Hishki's mech came rolling onto the beach, towering over them.

"I have found you at last, boy," he called out. "Summon your friends, especially the mermaid princesses. I cannot wait to collect them for my research."

Standing defiantly, Nagisa retorted, "You'll never get your mitts on them again, you old fogy."

That seemed to have hit a nerve, as Hishki responded, "Watch your tone with me, you little brat!" He brought his claw down where Nagisa stood, damaging the seal wall and sidewalk as Nagisa dodged. "I am Dr. Hwether Hishki. And I will claim my prize, and become the most respected and famous scientist in the world. And there is nothing you and your wretches can do to stop me." His next claw swung across, knocking Nagisa a good distance away and winding him.

"Nagisa-kun" Meru called, but was forced to cower when his other claw nearly hit her. Looking up, she prayed, "Aqua Regina-sama, save us."

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In her room, Hanon's pearl began to glow to warn her about someone being in danger. It snapped her out of her bemoaning as she sat up. Realizing what was wrong, she shot out of bed and raced out of the hotel calling, "Nagisa!"

In the park, Kaito and Luchia's pearls glowed as well.

"Someone's in trouble," Luchia figured. Then they heard a commotion coming from the sea.

"I don't think we need to ask where," Kaito deduced. Then he called, "Let's go, Luchia." And the two hurried off.

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Rina and Masahiro's pearls also glowed to warn them, but only Rina responded immediately to the call. Masahiro put down what clothes he was packing as he looked at the pearl.

Clenching it in his hands, he whispered, "When this is over, I'll tell her. I'll tell her my decision." And he raced off to find who was in danger.

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Slightly beaten up and battered, Nagisa panted from all the injuries he took fending off Dr. Hishki. The doctor loomed over the boy, gazing down at him menacingly.

"Do you even know what you are fighting for, boy?" he asked. "Defending these mermaids like it is the end of the world? They could leave you in a moment's notice. You wouldn't even notice until after they disappeared from your life."

Grinding his teeth, Nagisa shot back, "Hanon isn't like that! She would never just leave me. She loves me and I love her."

"Of course, that is obvious from how she gave you her precious pearl," Hishki replied. Then he claimed, "Did you know I was in your shoes boy?" As Nagisa gave pause, the doctor went on, "Oh yes, I too was in love with a mermaid. The love of my life. But then she disappeared on me. No warning, no nothing. Nothing but a broken heart. She played me for a fool, and I will punish her people for their whimsical fancies. You should help me. Your mermaid princess will be no different."

"You lie!" Nagisa argued. "Hanon had plenty of chances to leave me before I became a Sea Prince. But she stayed, even if I was stupid or clumsy. And I'm staying with her. She's my number one, my only one. She's my Hanon!"

"Regrettable. Very well." The mech wound up to attack one more time, and Nagisa braced for it.

But then, a shadow came in front of him and cried out, "Nagisa!" And an aquamarine light emitted from both his pearl and the figure of Hanon, protecting them from the mech and pushing it back. Her arms up in a defensive posture, Hanon stood defiantly before the mech, her gaze firm.

"Don't you dare touch my Nagisa," she threatened.

Not long after, Luchia and Kaito arrived to help, followed by Rina. The five friends stood ready to fight as the mech recovered from the light show.

Seeing the five, Hishki commented, "Well well, we have quite a party with us. Though it seems a player is missing from this game." The two girls looked to Rina, who seemed to have grimaced at these words. But Hishki laughed and remarked, "What do I have to worry about? If even one of you doesn't show, maybe the fate is all of you will disband. It is human nature to cast aside those that they share little connection with. Perhaps that is where you mermaids get your avarice."

Uncharacteristically, Rina shouted, "Shut up!"

"Or what, Green Mermaid Princess? I may not be able to touch the others, but you are all alone. But from what my minions have informed me of, you have always been alone."

Rina seemed physically hurt by those words, her hand shooting to her heart like it had been hit.

Hishki continued, "Yes, always alone. I suppose that is your fate then, isn't it? A pity."

The others glared back at the mech, furious at what he said.

But before the hurt of said words could force her to her knees, someone brought their arms around her to support. She glanced back to see Masahiro beside her, looking up at the mech.

Helping her to her feet, Masahiro said, "I am not so shallow as all that, Hishki-san. I admit to being weak at times. Even when Rina needs me, I may not always be able to help her. I have my shortcomings, being human and all." Then he declared, "But even in my weakness, I will always seek out Rina. When I am at my lowest, she gives me hope. When the world crushes me, she brings me comfort. I love Rina more than anything else. So no matter what you say, I will always be there for her!" As he said this, Rina felt him subtly bring her closer to him. She was not going to object to it though. Having that reassurance was all she needed in this moment.

"Pah! Useless words," Hishki responded with disdain. "I shall show you all the folly of associating with these monsters." His mech grinded against itself as it readied another attack.

Each pair looked to each other, giving a nod. United, they transformed.

"Pink Pearl Voice!"

"Aqua Pearl Voice!"

"Green Pearl Voice!"

Their melody for "Bridges" began to play as they transformed into their second forms. But something was different in this transformation. Rather than don their outfits separately like they usually did, each pair seemed to partner up and help apply the costumes with their powers. Things like Masahiro drawing up Rina's gloves, or Hanon tapping where Nagisa's tie would appear. The pairs acted together as they transformed, taking on their idol forms to fight their foe.

"Hishki," Rina spoke, "you attack our love without remorse."

"At our most difficult situation, it is unforgivable," Hanon went on.

And Luchia concluded, "With our songs, and our Sea Princes, we will defeat you!"

"Pichi Pichi Voice, Live Start!"

Thus they sang their song. Their song of connections that they made and the power they gave. That no matter how much the storms raged or the earth shook, they would hold true to these connections.

Their song, sung with such conviction and determination, immediately caused the mech to malfunction, stopping Hishki's advance. It shorted and shuddered at the power from their song. Even Hishki inside grimaced at how much stronger these duos were getting. But his readings further added how much they had changed. Each encounter he had with the Mermaid Princesses, he had measured their power to get an idea on how far they were advancing. And it seemed that these six in particular were becoming much, much stronger. So much so that his mech began to collapse.

Having finished their song, the pairs called out, "Love Shower Pitch! Encore wa ika ga?"

Recovering from the wreckage around him, Hishki proclaimed, "Someday, Mermaid Princesses, I will show the world your true colors. You mermaids shall soon rue the day you ever screwed over humans for your flights of fancy. I will have retribution!" And he got inside one of the only things to survive the concert, an escape pod, and shot off for the sea once more. The six watched him go, standing close to each other and taking solace in the company of their partner.

The next day at dawn, the three Mermaid Princesses stood before the sea.

Nikora, Taki, Hippo, along with Karen, Noelle, and Coco were also in attendance to see them off. The group was waiting for the boys to arrive, as well as the sea creatures that would help them get to their respective kingdoms.

It felt surreal for Luchia, Hanon, and Rina to consider what this trip was for. Though much of their concern was alleviated after last night's battle, some things still lingered. But they were confident they could tackle it.

The first to arrive was Kaito. Luchia heard him call out and went to meet him.

Following that, Masahiro rode up on his bike. He set his helmet aside and brought a suitcase strapped on the back down to the beach as he met with Rina.

That just left Nagisa, whom Hanon assumed was running late.

"You ready to go home, Luchia?" Kaito asked his girl.

To which Luchia answered, "I am. Though I am a little nervous. It'll be the first time I bring someone like you home. I'm not sure what the other mermaids will say."

"I never knew you to be someone who fretted that much over bringing over a friend," he remarked, much to Luchia's chagrin. But he softened up and assured, "We'll be fine. We've come this far. Now let's press on with what Aqua Regina-sama wants." Luchia nodded in affirmation, committed to this as much as he was.

Over with the green pair, Masahiro showed his suitcase and stated, "I didn't know what to expect, so I brought some spare clothes for myself and whatever else I'd need to stay there for more than a few days."

"That's just like you," Rina remarked. "Though it is probably smart to do that. We don't know what will be done when we get home, or how long it may take."

"Just so long as it doesn't rush things between us," the boy brought up. "I don't want to make this awkward for you or the others."

Rina was heartened by Masahiro's consideration, understanding the implications he was concerned about. But she knew that wouldn't be the case.

But she then asked, "What will you do about your family?"

Masahiro seemed bothered by the question, but he figured, "I'll cross that bridge when we come across it. For now, I just want to do my part for you."

Rina accepted that answer, but she still worried about how this would affect Masahiro if things turned sour.

A little bit after the two boys arrived, Nagisa called out as he approached the group. He had a backpack that seemed a bit small for a long trip. He came up as Hanon stood over him while he bent over, panting from running.

"Sorry I'm late," he said between pants. "I slept through my alarm clock."

"Geez!" Hanon responded disapprovingly. But she softened her expression and helped him up, assuring, "Well, you made it. Our friends coming to bring you to the kingdoms haven't arrived yet."

This cheered Nagisa up a bit. Then the three pairs met with the others for their send off.

Stepping forward, Taki told them, "Now you set off on a journey greater than any we have seen before. I know not what Aqua Regina-sama has in store for each of you, but I know this is merely the next step in your journey as her chosen."

"We'll manage things here on the surface, but you all be careful," Nikora said with the added warning. "That doctor knows about the location of the North Pacific palace, so he may know where the North and South Atlantic kingdoms are. Do not let your guard down, no matter what."

Hippo quietly muttered something but did not repeat it when the others ordered him to.

Switching focuses, Luchia asked, "Will you three be alright here?"

"Don't worry about us Luchia," Karen assured her. "We'll manage just fine. You three have the bigger challenge with your Sea Princes. Worry about that for now."

"We'll get a big celebration ready for when you return," Coco proposed. "To welcome the new Sea Princes." The boys seemed a bit flattered by the idea, though they said nothing in regards to it.

Not long after, they heard a dolphin chirp in the distance. They all looked to see Momo-chan calling out to them, accompanied by Minke, the minke whale from the North Atlantic, as well as what looked like a sea lion. Seeing their escorts had arrived, the group gathered what they needed and began heading for the water.

Before they entered, they heard, "Luchia, wait!" Said Mermaid Princess turned to see Seira racing up to her.

Once she got to them, Luchia inquired, "Seira, what's the matter?"

After recovering, Seira answered, "I wanted to say farewell before you all left. And…" She trailed off briefly, taking a deep breath as if to steady her nerves. Then she said, "When you come back, I will have grown more in my pursuit of love. I hope I can be with Hugo again just like you are with Kaito."

The Pink Mermaid Princess smiled fondly at this, and she hugged Seira tightly.

"Never lose that heart Seira," she advised. "Always believe, and go after your dream. When you do, you will achieve it." The two shared one last meaningful gaze before Luchia went with Kaito and the others into the sea.

After changing, the mermaids helped the boys to the animals that would help bring them to their kingdoms. Momo-chan dove under and picked up Kaito much like she did during Luchia's coming-of-age ceremony.

Masahiro clambered onto Minke carefully, being careful not to hurt the whale as he hoisted himself on top.

As for Nagisa, he was forced to hug close to the sea lion Hanon said was named Hisui. The six said one final farewell on land before they each went their separate ways.

But as they left in their respective directions, the Winged Ones and Triple Threat looked on under the water. They then went after each group in pairs: Javer and Lady Bat going after the pink duo, Arara and Avery following the green duo, and Christoph and Lanhua pursuing the aqua duo. And so everyone parted ways to the different kingdoms.

Rina: My home… We are back at last.

Masahiro: Your people seem more curious than nervous around me Rina.

Rina: I guess they never thought a human would be brought here like this.

Masahiro: Look out! Rina!

Rina: Water demons? Mashiro!

Next time on Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Duo

The Mask Falls

Rina/Masahiro: It is time to unite.